The US President along with President Gustavo Petro have escalated the volume of their war of words, heightening strains bilaterally after US forces targeted Venezuela with the aim of deposing the leader of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He runs cocaine mills and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," Trump added.
Growing Threats coupled with Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, Trump suggested comparable use of force towards the South American nation, claiming the country faces serious problems and led by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and selling it to the US."
While Colombia is the leading source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the illicit industry.
A Frayed Alliance
This nation has long been a staunch collaborator of the US in the fight combating drug cartels and benefited from bipartisan support in the US capital, but relations have worsened significantly following Trump assumed the presidency.
Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by criminal organizations like the Golf Clan, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom demobilised subsequent to a 2016 peace deal.
The President's Defiant Answer
When asked if military intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards against his country, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who disarmed in the 1990s, rejected Trump's claims. "I am no an illegitimate leader and I am not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. Stop slandering me," he wrote in a post.
"If they [the US] bomb rural communities, they will transform into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And should they arrest the president, which a significant portion of Colombians loves and respects, they will provoke the fierce spirit of the nation," Petro warned.
From Fighter to President
The president dedicated a period in his early life participating in the left-wing M-19 armed organization though it is believed he did not participated in combat. After demobilizing, he was involved in writing the nation's constitution over three decades ago and eventually served as an influential politician. He served as mayor of Bogotá before being elected the presidency.
"I swore to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume arms again," he said.
Reinforced Protection and Widespread Rejection
Colombia's defense chief stated that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
A segment of Colombia’s political right have sided with the US president, however, leaders from across Colombian politics have rejected the threats of an invasion targeting Colombia.
Political and Financial Pressure
Washington withdrew Petro’s visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse unlawful commands. In October, the US enacted economic restrictions on Petro, his spouse and various associates.
Concurrently while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting alleged narcotics traffickers to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed operations on boats in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
